Two Hands Interiors

A bold wallpaper can completely transform a large space — adding personality, movement, and a sense of intention that paint alone can’t always achieve. Whether it’s a subtle texture or a playful pattern, the right wallpaper turns empty walls into a statement and makes oversized rooms feel layered, inviting, and full of life.

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography

The most memorable interiors don't feel brand new — they feel collected.

For The Guild, we layered antiques and vintage-inspired pieces throughout the space to give the bookstore a sense of history, gravitas and permanence. Rich wood tones, patinated brass and heirloom-quality furnishings help create the feeling that generations of stories have already unfolded here.

One of our favorite pieces is this antique sideboard, which anchors the space with warmth and character.

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography

Every great space has a story. This one started as a bank. When the owners of The Guild envisioned a bookstore, café, and bar in downtown Wheaton, they embraced the building's history rather than erasing it. Throughout the design process, we looked for ways to create a sense of discovery while honoring the character already embedded in the architecture. The rich woodwork, layered textures and library-inspired details help the space feel as though it has always been here.

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography

Morning espresso or evening cocktail — either way, the seat's yours at The Guild!

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography

There are some projects where the furniture leads the design. Others begin with architecture, lighting or a single piece of art.

For The Guild in downtown Wheaton, everything started with atmosphere. Read the Substack for more: https://open.substack.com/pub/twohandsinteriors/p/4-why-paint-color-was-everything?r=6uexrg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography

Is hiring a designer actually worth it? It's a question that we get a lot, and we never answer it with a yes or a no. Here's the truth: for some people, it isn't. If you have ample time, a clear vision, vendor access and a tolerance for decisions that compound -- you might be fine on your own.

But some of our clients do come to us attempting it alone. After the sofa that looked perfect online arrived wrong. After the renovation that ran $40K over because no one caught the specification error early on. We save our clients money. We save them time. And we give them a space that maybe they'd never have landed in on their own.

Curious what working with us looks like? https://www.twohandsinteriors.com/full-service-design?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=full_service_design

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography

They didn't just want a lake house. They wanted a place their grandchildren would remember. The Legacy Lake House rebuild gave us the rare opportunity to start from the ground up, and the even rarer brief to make something that would feel as it does today. That meant leaning on natural materials, honest craftsmanship and a restraint that's harder to achieve than it looks. No trends were consulted in the making of this home. Swipe to see every room of this full rebuild.

Photo Credit: John Stoffer

Some rooms ask to be rushed through. This one insists you stay. Our Elegant Parisian Row Home renovation began with one deceptively simple brief: make it feel like it has always been here. Music to a designer's ears! A custom island/table and stools, paneling, antique mirror and bistro shelving help make it the case. Swipe to see how every corner tells a different part of the story.

Photo Credit: Kristi Hughes Photography